Original Word: εὐδοκία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: eudokia
Pronunciation: yoo-dok-ee'-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-dok-ee'-ah)
KJV: desire, good pleasure (will), X seem good
NASB: desire, kind intention, well-pleasing, good pleasure, good will, pleased
Word Origin: [from a presumed compound of G2095 (εὖ - well) and the base of G1380 (δοκέω - think)]

1. satisfaction
2. (subjectively) delight
3. (objectively) kindness, wish, purpose

delight, good pleasure

From a presumed compound of eu and the base of dokeo; satisfaction, i.e. (subjectively) delight, or (objectively) kindness, wish, purpose -- desire, good pleasure (will), X seem good.

see GREEK eu

see GREEK dokeo

Cognate: 2107 eudokía – properly, what seems good or beneficial to someone; "good pleasure." See 2106 (eudokeō).

God's good pleasure (2107 /eudokía) requires something is done through His work of inbirthing faith.

2 Thes 1:11: "for which [glorification, cf. 1:10], indeed each time we pray about (peri) you – for the purpose (hina) that our God may deem you worthy of the calling, and may fulfill every good-pleasure (2107 /eudokía, of God) that comes from (His) goodness and (His) work of faith (4102 /pístis), in (His) ability."

Word Origin
from eudokeó
Definition
good pleasure
NASB Translation
desire (2), good pleasure (1), good will (1), kind intention (2), pleased (1), well-pleasing (2).

STRONGS NT 2107: εὐδοκία

εὐδοκία, εὐδοκίας, ἡ (from εὐδοκέω, as εὐλογία from εὐλογέω), unknown to secular authors (Boeckh, Inscriptions 5960), found in the O. T. in some of the Psalms (for רָצון) and often in Sir.; on it cf. Fritzsche on Romans, ii., p. 371f; (especially Lightfoot on Philippians 1:15); properly,beneplacitum (Vulg. (edited by Clement.) Ephesians 1:9);

1. will, choice: Matthew 11:26; Luke 10:21 (on both passages see ἔμπροσθεν, 2 b.); Sir. 1:27 (); , etc.; in particular, good-will, kindly intent, benevolence: Ephesians 1:5, 9; Philippians 2:13 (Psalm 50:20 (); Sir. 2:16 Sir. 11:17 () etc.); δἰ εὐδοκίαν, prompted by good will, Philippians 1:15.

2. delight, pleasure, satisfaction: with the genitive of the thing that pleases, 2 Thessalonians 1:11; ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία, either among men pleasure produced by salvation, or God's pleasure in men, Luke 2:14 R G Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading; ἄνθρωποι εὐδοκίας, men in whom God is well pleased (i. e. not a particular class of men (viz. believers), but the whole race, contemplated as blessed in Christ's birth), Luke 2:14. L T Tr text WH text (see WH's Appendix at the passage; Field, Otium Norv. iii. at the passage) (Psalm 144:16 (); Sir. 9:12).

3. desire (for delight in any absent thing easily begets a longing for it): Romans 10:1; cf. Philippi and Tholuck at the passage.

Definition and Conceptual Range

The term εὐδοκία (eudokia) expresses delight, good pleasure, favor, or benevolent intention. In Scripture it most often speaks of God’s gracious disposition toward His redemptive purposes and toward those who are objects of His saving love. It can also denote a believer’s Spirit-shaped desire that harmonizes with God’s will.

Old Testament Foundations

The Septuagint regularly uses εὐδοκία to translate Hebrew words for pleasure or favor (for example, Psalm 5:12; Psalm 51:18; Psalm 147:11). The idea unites God’s sovereign delight with His covenant mercy, preparing the way for New Testament usage that centers upon Christ and the gospel.

New Testament Occurrences and Categories

1. Divine delight in redemptive revelation
• Matthew 11:26 and Luke 10:21: “Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.” The Father rejoices to reveal the kingdom to “little children,” showing that saving knowledge is granted by divine pleasure, not human merit.
2. Divine delight in the Incarnation
• Luke 2:14: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!” The angelic hymn celebrates God’s favor embodied in the birth of Jesus Christ, linking εὐδοκία to the peace secured by the Messiah.
3. Divine delight in election and adoption
• Ephesians 1:5-6: “He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace.”
• Ephesians 1:9: “And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ.”

God’s saving plan flows from His own delighted purpose, culminating in the praise of His grace.
4. Divine delight energizing sanctification
• Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure.” The believer’s obedience is empowered by the same gracious purpose that designed salvation.
5. Human goodwill shaped by the gospel
• Romans 10:1: “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.” Paul’s longing mirrors God’s saving pleasure.
• Philippians 1:15: “Some, to be sure, preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.” Spirit-born goodwill motivates genuine proclamation.
• 2 Thessalonians 1:11: Paul prays that God will “fulfill every good desire and work of faith,” asking that believers’ aspirations align with divine pleasure.

Theological Significance

1. Sovereign Grace: εὐδοκία underscores that salvation originates in God’s own delighted purpose, not in human initiative (Ephesians 1:5).
2. Christ-Centered Revelation: Divine pleasure is concentrated in the person and work of Christ (Luke 2:14; Ephesians 1:9).
3. Doxological Goal: God’s good pleasure leads to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:6).
4. Synergistic Sanctification: While God is the primary actor (Philippians 2:13), believers actively pursue obedience, assured that their efforts fit within His delight.
5. Missional Impulse: Paul’s longing for Israel’s salvation (Romans 10:1) and his prayer for the Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 1:11) model how believers’ desires are to reflect God’s saving goodwill toward the nations.

Historical Interpretation

Early church fathers saw εὐδοκία as proof of God’s benevolent sovereignty. Augustine cited Ephesians 1 to defend the doctrine of grace. Reformers pointed to εὐδοκία to affirm election grounded in God’s pleasure, not foreseen merit. Pietists and evangelical revivals emphasized Philippians 2:13, urging experiential reliance on God’s indwelling power.

Pastoral and Spiritual Formation

• Assurance: Believers rest in the Father’s delighted purpose rather than fluctuating emotions.
• Prayer: Like Paul (Romans 10:1), petitions should spring from desires conformed to God’s saving pleasure.
• Motivation: Ministry is energized by the truth that God Himself is pleased to work through His people (Philippians 2:13).
• Humility: Revelation comes by God’s pleasure, guarding against intellectual pride (Matthew 11:26).

Liturgical and Worship Use

The angelic proclamation of Luke 2:14 shapes Christmas liturgies, celebrating the incarnation as the apex of divine favor. Ephesians 1:5-6 forms part of many baptismal and communion prayers, grounding worship in God’s delighted grace.

Missional Implications

Because divine εὐδοκία drives the gospel, churches engage in evangelism and mercy ministries confident that their labors align with God’s own good pleasure, trusting Him to reveal Christ to the humble and to gather His adopted family from every nation.

Summary

Strong’s 2107 portrays the gracious heart of God—His delighted purpose to reveal, redeem, adopt, and transform through Jesus Christ. That same pleasure ignites believers’ desires, empowers their obedience, and sustains their mission until all things resound “to the praise of His glorious grace” (Ephesians 1:6).

ευδοκια ευδοκία εὐδοκία ευδοκίαις ευδοκιαν ευδοκίαν εὐδοκίαν ευδοκιας ευδοκίας εὐδοκίας ευδοκιμούν ευεκτείν εύελπις eudokia eudokía eudokian eudokían eudokias eudokíasInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts